Parkin Thomas Sowden Jr. ’44

Tom died Oct. 3, 2011, in Greenville, S.C.

Tom came to Princeton after graduating from Exeter. He majored in chemical engineering, roomed with Jay Madeira, and was active in Theatre Intime and Cloister Club. He served as a lieutenant in the occupation forces in Japan and was recalled for the Korean War.

In 1946, Tom married Jane Fuller and went to work for Phillips Petroleum, eventually becoming superintendent of operations in a pilot plant in Houston, where he was awarded two patents.

Jane died in 1971. In 1974, Tom married Margaret Hillis. While he was executive vice president of international licensing for Phillips, they traveled the world together.

He retired from Phillips after 40 years and returned to Greenville, where he was president of the local symphony and the Little Theater; was active in the Scouts, Rotary, and the local Princeton Club; and was a church warden at Christ Episcopal Church.

Tom is survived by his son, David; six grandchildren; a great-grandchild; and two stepchildren. His daughter Ann predeceased him.